It is the thrilling final day of Royal Ascot 2026, and Garry Owen goes through the card with his best bets.
SATONO REVE (3:40) can finally fulfil his dream of landing the QEII Jubilee Stakes on Day Five of Royal Ascot.
Noriyuki Hori's star only failed by a half-length to reel in the classy Lazzat in this Group 1 last year. He paid the price for that expedition when unplaced on his next two outings back in the Far East. However, the seven-year-old was still sent off a 2-1 jolly on his comeback in a Grade 1 at Chukyo. He looked totally revitalised as he powered to an impressive two-length defeat of Red Mon Reve. That effort earned the bay a crack at the brilliant Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman's Prize at Sha Tin. He made the most of an impossible assignment when finishing an excellent second in a strong field. This big prize has been the target ever since, so he can finally reign supreme over a top-class line-up.
FLIGHT SIGNAL (2:30) has a clear chance for Archie Watson in a classy renewal of Norfolk Stakes.
The juvenile was a well-backed 11-4 shot ahead of his first career start over five furlongs at Bath. He duly delivered the goods with an impressive three-length defeat of the exciting Jaan Ki Tukri. That was a high-class novice, so the Wathnan challenger can add this historic Group 2 to his CV.
GOLIATH (3:05) can stand tall for Francis-Henri Graffard in the competitive Hardwicke Stakes.
The gelding hit the headlines when routing Bluestocking in the 2024 King George at this venue. He backed up that effort with a similarly emphatic defeat of Hamish in a Group 2 at Longchamp. The bay left some lesser efforts behind when third to Sosie in the 2025 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin. He warmed up well for this Group 2 by hacking up from Oracle on his return in a Chantilly Group 2. The six-year-old should be primed, so he can put some superstar opponents firmly in their places.
THE PRETTIEST STAR (4:20) can steal the show for Ed Walker in the competitive Jersey Stakes.
The filly oozed class when bolting up from Sara Moon on debut over six furlongs at Nottingham. She entered the Classic picture when chinned by Zanthos in the Group 2 Rockfel at Newmarket. The bay didn't quite stay a mile when a fine fourth behind True Love in the 1000 Guineas there. The three-year-old retains plenty of talent, so she can claim this cracking Group 3 down a furlong.
The Wokingham Stakes is as trappy as ever, but I'm siding with William Haggas' REALIGN (5:00).
The sprinter took a while to build on his impressive defeat of Sara Moon in a Salisbury maiden. He proved his worth in handicaps by comfortably denying the useful Wild Clary at Haydock. The four-year-old seemed to lose his way again when unplaced at both Doncaster and Newmarket. He looked much more professional when effortlessly defeating Recency Bias at Carlisle recently. The gelding won with total authority, so he can see off a strong field despite a reasonable 5lb hike.
PERISHER (5:35) can put his rivals on ice for Joseph O'Brien in the Golden Gates Stakes.
The grey was an eye-catching third behind Empty Wallet on his handicap debut at Cork. He then opened his account with a game defeat of Alphonsus Liguori in a Gowran maiden. The three-year-old improved for a step-up to 1m 2f when slamming Pierre Grosse at Naas. The gelding remains nicely unexposed over that trip, so he can shade a fascinating contest.
A PIECE OF HEAVEN (6:10) can cap a terrific week for O'Brien in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.
The eight-year-old found only The Euphrates too good in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh. He clearly benefitted from a return to 1m 6f when touched off by Lafyette back there in April. The gelding definitely relished tackling 2m 2f when outpointing Maxi King in the Chester Cup. The veteran should be even better over Saturday's gruelling 2m 6f, so he can defy a welter burden.
Garry Owen's Royal Ascot Day 5 Selections:
- 2:30 FLIGHT SIGNAL
- 3:05 GOLIATH
- 3:40 SATONO REVE (NAP)
- 4:20 THE PRETTIEST STAR
- 5:00 REALIGN
- 5:35 PERISHER
- 6:10 A PIECE OF HEAVEN
